Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Nephrostomy

(Percutaneous Nephrostomy)

Pronounced: Purr-cue-TAY-knee-us Nef-RAW-stow-me

by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN

Definition

A nephrostomy is a procedure in which a tube called a catheter is placed into the kidney. An ultrasound or x-ray images are used to guide the catheter into the kidney.

Reasons for Procedure

A nephrostomy is done to drain urine from your kidney. This needs to be done when urine cannot come out as it normally does. Specific conditions that may cause this include:

Damage to the bladder
Blockage in the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, due to:
- Infection
- Tumor
- Kidney stone
- Scar tissue
- A condition that is present at birth

Kidney Stone

A nephroscopy through a nephrostomy may also be used to look at the kidneys and ureters before other procedures are done, such as kidney stone removal. This may also help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Possible Complications

Problems from the test are rare. However, all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Bleeding
Infection
Damage to nearby organs and tissue
Kidney function loss
Blood clots
Reaction to the anesthesia
Pain

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

Smoking
Drinking
Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity
The use of certain medications

Your risk of complications may also increase if you have:

Liver failure
Pregnancy

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

At the appointment before the test:
- Your doctor may do tests like a CT scan or ultrasound. You may also have blood and urine tests.
- Questions your doctor may ask include: Are you pregnant? Do you have any allergies to contrast material?
- Questions you should ask your doctor include: How long will the catheter need to stay in place? What signs should I look for in case there is a problem with the catheter?
Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before your procedure. If you are taking medications, ask your doctor if you should take them the morning of your procedure with a sip of water.
Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.

Anesthesia

You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the skin on your lower back. An IV will be placed. You will receive a sedative, pain medication, and antibiotics through this IV.

Description of Procedure

A nephrostomy is usually done in an outpatient setting. You will not need to stay in the hospital overnight. Ultrasound or x-ray images will be used to locate the kidney and guide the doctor. A needle will be inserted through the skin and into the kidney. A contrast material will be injected through the needle to better view the kidney on the x-ray. The catheter will then be placed into the kidney. The catheter will come out of your skin and be attached to a collection bag. A dressing will be placed at the insertion site. Urine will drain from the kidney into the collection bag.

Immediately After Procedure

After the procedure, you will be monitored for 8-12 hours to make sure the catheter is draining urine. The urine may appear bloody at first. It will clear over time.

How Long Will It Take?

15-30 minutes

How Much Will It Hurt?

You may feel soreness at the insertion site for several days after your nephrostomy. You will be given medication to help with the pain.

Post-procedure Care

At the Care Center

After the procedure, the staff may give you the following care to make you more comfortable and to help you recover:

Your collection bag will be checked to make sure the catheter is draining the kidney well.
You will be shown how to care for your catheter. You will be sent home with extra collection bags and dressing supplies.

You will be able to leave when your catheter is working and you are comfortable caring for it.

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chances of infection such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and healthcare providers to do the same
Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
Not allowing others to touch your incisions

At Home

Follow your doctor's instructions about activity restrictions and wound care to prevent infection. Be careful not to let the collection bag get too full before emptying it.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Catheter problems:
- Urine no longer drains
- Catheter is bent or twisted
- Leakage occurs around the catheter
Signs of infection, including fever or chills
Urine becomes cloudy, bloody, or smells bad
Sudden pain
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, a lot of bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

National Kidney Foundation
https://www.kidney.org

Urology Care Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca

The Kidney Foundation of Canada
https://www.kidney.ca

References:

Practice parameter for the performance of percutaneous nephrostomy. American College of Radiology website. Available at: https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Practice-Parameters/percutaneous-nephros.pdf.

Skolarikos A, Alivizatos G, Papatsoris A, Constantinides K, Zerbas A, Deliveliotis C. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy performed by urologists: 10-year experience. Urology. 2006;68(3):495-499.

Wen X , Gao X , Li X, et al. One-step percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with a history of open nephrolithotomy: comparison with the fascial dilator system. J Endourol. 2007;21(11):1281-1285.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 1/29/2021

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